Island Travel, Simple Pleasures, Exotic Cultures, Fun Food and Drink

Croaker heaven at this little gem

Oriental’s Croaker Festival is usually on the weekend prior to the USA Independence Day Holiday weekend. Sadly, I’ve missed it again. This community event enshrines the saltwater fish species called the croaker. A “croaker” is a local fish that “talks back” to fishermen lucky enough to catch it. It is actually kind of ugly. As it gasps for water, when on the dock, the gills puff up and out come a frog-like croak. Eating them is a similar story. They are not that large and finding flesh without a bunch of fish bones is a task. So what is the story here?

This North Carolina “innerbanks” area town can use this or any excuse to draw a mix of residents and visitors to a charming little sun-drenched retirement/working port community. Oriental is located not far from New Bern, N.C. The tourism board got this one right. From the “Croaker Pageant Queen” to the Parade, replete with the obligatory Croaker Float, the two day celebration has something for everybody. Quirky food is one of my favorites. The open air booths have old-fashioned treats and more festival foods each year. The Neuse riverfront surrounds the main street and the scent of Saltwater in the air gets my mouth watering for lots of seafood delights. Because of the rich history of this event, and the success of recent years, the festival draws between 8,000 to 10,000 people. Each year a theme is chosen: yes, a Croaker has to be a part of it. Thirty years of this area’s worship to a fish that few would use as bait has ensued.

This town is a sailing and yachting place and real anglers head out of the little port for the “big ones”. The sea dominates this land bordered by Pamlico Sound on the north and Ocracoke Island and the Atlantic to the east. From New Bern, NC, cross the bridge and stay on NC Highway 55 to Pamlico County, stay on 55 though Grantsboro and Bayboro. A ferry system provides free (yes, free) boat travel for passenger and cars from Cherry Branch from the south. At several times per day, this is the way to arrive. You wait in line in your car about a half hour and roll aboard. Of course, anchoring out is not too shabby, and several protected spots to anchor abound.